793.94/16334
The American Ambassador in Japan (Grew) to the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs (Matsuoka)
My Dear Mr. Minister: I am taking the occasion to enclose herewith, for Your Excellency’s personal information, in view of the interest which you have been good enough to take in endeavoring to put an end to the long list of bombings by Japanese aviation of American property in China, a copy of my official representations of today’s date regarding the renewed bombing by Japanese planes, during the [Page 700] course of an air raid on Chungking on October 25 last, of the property of the Chungking Ice Company, an American firm, as well as regarding the fact that the 26 Japanese bombers which took part in the raid followed a course immediately over the premises of the American Embassy and the U. S. S. Tutuila, and that bombs fell north, west, and east of them, the nearest bomb landing about 300 yards north of the Embassy and the ship in question.
I venture to hope, in view of the interest which Your Excellency expressed in this matter, that the serious menace, constituted by these air raids to the safety of the American official personnel in China as well as to the property and lives of American citizens legitimately pursuing their callings in that country may be obviated through effective orders to the responsible Japanese officers concerned.
Sincerely yours,